DAVAO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI has deployed social workers from the Protective Services Division (PSD), to assist the arriving locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and the returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) at the Davao City International Airport, Sasa International Seaport, and, Davao City Overland Transport Terminal.
In a press statement, the DSWD XI said they started the deployment in June to assist and assess and coordinate with other agencies to facilitate their needs. The social workers were present on all schedules of arrival at the different ports and terminals.
“We make sure that we coordinate with other agencies, so the efforts are always unified and in accordance with the set goals,” said Gemma D. Dela Cruz, OIC-Division Chief of the PSD.
The technical working group for arriving LSIs and ROFs has encouraged a coordinated effort among concerned agencies in the region.
“Our role in the Department is to assess the needs of the arriving LSIs and ROFs so we can provide them with appropriate assistance,” Dela Cruz added.
She also clarified that the assistance is not only limited to financial but also psychosocial, among others. To date, a total of 353 LSIs received assistance from DSWD amounting to ₱799,000 for food and accommodation expenses.-Newsline
